Police send out cold caller warning

North Wales Police have put out a warning about cold callers on the Neighbourhood Alert system. 

PCSO Lucy Green says: “Following a recent suspicious incident in the Moel Famau area, please keep yourselves safe by never allowing cold callers into your home.

“Air ump sales, TV faults, faulty broadband, water/gas/electricity board and ‘reformed criminal on probation’ are all popular methods criminals use to target householders by deceiving them in order to get into their home.

“Then once inside distracting them by whatever means -  ‘can I have a cuppa/glass of water’, ‘can you turn the water on while I check your pipes,’ or ‘"can you stay by your TV whilst I check the cables’.

“These individuals will very often they work in pairs so one person will engage you whilst the other wanders around your home helping themselves - known as distraction burglaries.

“Please don't be a victim keep yourself and your neighbours safe - don't allow people in, if answering the front door - lock your back door.

“Please, check all ‘official’ visitors are legitimate by calling the companies involved, don't take their word for it, often they have fake ID as well.

“If you are suspicious of a caller report it on 101 or web chat, try to write down as much information about the person as you can. 

“If a crime is ongoing or someone is in danger call 999.

“Further information can be found on the NWP website: Crime prevention advice | North Wales Police

“Help us to protect more people in your community by sharing this message and encouraging people to sign up to Home - North Wales Community Alert”

Japanese culture abounds in Mazda's hybrid SUV

Steve Rogers drives Mazda’s new flagship SUV

Meet the CX-60 a car steeped in Japanese culture and, at last, powered by a plug-in hybrid engine.

Mazda has hardly been in a rush to join the hybrid fold, in fact it has been at the back of the pack while the medal hopes race off into the distance. May be they have been cautious making sure they get it right, well we will soon find out because apart from CX-60 the floodgates will be opening with five plug-in, five hybrid and three EVs in the pipeline for 2025.

Before that CX-60 will get mild hybrid six-cylinder three-litre petrol and 3.3 litre diesel engines which shows Mazda’s continued commitment to the internal combustion engine, or ICE as we have come to know it.

And Mazda is still staying clear of the now conventional smaller engine boosted by turbo power. UK managing director Jeremy Thomson told me they are not giving up on ICE because bigger engines are more efficient and produce less vibration. But we will see the return of the famed rotary engine in the next tranche of hybrid engines.

So where does CX-60 fit in? Although it shares the same Kodo design DNA as CX-5 it is a bit bigger and easily caters for three adults in the back thanks to a wider body. It is four wheel drive only so you do not gain that much extra in boot space over its sibling.

If the banner headline is hybrid then the sub head will be top notch quality. Mazda has been knocking on the premium sector door for a while, quite a few models have already made the grade in my book, but CX-60 takes it a step further.

Step inside the car and see what is meant by Japanese culture. Traditional crafts have been used to bring surfaces to life. We are not just talking soft to touch materials, on the top Takumi model you will see exquisite traditional fabrics and needlework known as Musubu which creates hanging stitches across the dash panel, along with another Japanese craft where maple wood trim is hand-made and replicated for mass production.

As far as the cabin goes, quality is as good as you will find in any BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Audi or Mercedes.

Pity that to get the best you have to pay top dollar, not that CX-60 is overpriced compared to its illustrious rivals, anything but, although it has to be said that the darker trim in the entry Exclusive Line is quite underwhelming by comparison.

Dashboard layout is crisp and clear, a new digital driver’s binnacle with coloured head-up display, clear buttons for heating controls and a 12.3in screen for all the sundries with Mazda’s tried and trusted centre console mounted rotary controller. As always, the system is beautifully clear and a doddle to use.

With 320bhp on tap and a credible 500Nm or torque this is the most powerful Mazda money can buy but does it have the same dynamic prowess as, say, an Audi Q5? Big SUVs are not always the  most exhilarating to drive although the German marques have raised the bar.

To be fair Mazda has always been strong on producing cars to satisfy enthusiastic drivers and although CX-60 is a heavyweight SUV it is an engaging drive and comfortable as well. Our route through Snowdonia presented a challenge, narrow roads, laced with twists, humpbacks and dubious surfaces yet, in sport mode, the big fella was the master of all.

Power delivery from the 2.5 litre petrol is rapid enough, occasionally marred by a clunky change from the 8-speed automatic. Steering wheel paddle shifters keep performance levels on song when pushing along.

As a plug-in CX-60 can, in favourable driving conditions, provide 39 miles of electric motoring which translates into 188mpg. Take that with a pinch of salt because once the battery is empty it is back to good old petrol power although that should be good for 50mpg plus.

There is a mountain of safety features and high quality tech including facial recognition that stores driver profiles for seating position etc, and gives a friendly ticking off if your eyes wander from the road ahead.

The range starts with Exclusive Line at £43,950, Homura, the expected best seller, at £46,700 and £48,050 for Takumi. Given its extensive spec right across the range this is a good price against the rest of the premium division.

The big question: Is CX-60 worth the step up from CX-5, a much underrated SUV in my book? On the basis that there is a little more space, much better economy and lower engine emissions, along with a very classy interior, the answer is yes. Hang on a bit longer and there will be an even bigger seven seat CX-80.

I am giving it nine out of 10, it would have been a full house but for the clunky transmission.

Fast facts

CX-60 AWD 8sp auto

Range £43,950-£48,050

2.5 litre plug-in hybrid; 320bhp

0-62mph 5.8secs; 124mph

33g/km. 1st tax £55

Insurance group 44

Boot: 570-1726 litres (to ceiling)

Towing capacity 2,500kg

Scheme aims to provide care and support for young people

A countywide initiative is turning to providing care and support for young people.

Denbighshire County Council is working in partnership with social enterprise Community Catalysts to help those wishing to turn their own dreams into reality to offer care and support to older and disabled people in their local communities.

Community Catalysts offer free professional advice to help people work for themselves and provide care and support across the county.

Thanks to this initiative there are now 16 micro-providers working for themselves in Denbighshire bringing their own ideas to life to help others.

And now the scheme is offering support for budding entrepreneurs to make a difference to the lives of young people.

Nick Hughes Community Catalyst for Denbighshire, said: “We have supported a number of micro-providers in realising their own dreams to provide care and support to older and disabled people and now we want to help those with great ideas to help younger members of the local community.

“Community Catalysts can help you to set up as self-employed offering support to young people with additional needs or a disability in a community group or one-to-one.

“It has been fantastic to see individuals wanting to put their own personal ideas to use to help others and I hope we can see this carry on to support our younger generation.

Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care, said: “It is fantastic to see how this partnership has already helped a number of individuals breathe life into their own ideas to help people in the local community and I look forward to hearing and seeing the support coming through for our younger community members

For further information about Community Catalysts and how they can help you become a micro-provider visit - https://bit.ly/3bTwcka

If you want to see some of the micro-providers who are operating in Denbighshire, check out the Small Good Stuff Directory – www.smallgoodstuff.co.uk

Four local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from one.network are:   Berwyn Street, Denbighshire 30 August - 02 September   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: MJ QUINN ARE TO CABLE AND SPLICE THE PON IN VERGE/CARRIAGEWAY....   Works location: JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN ROAD, BERWYN STREET...   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: BC005MQ1W00BDUK3WC9L005V       Regent Street, Denbighshire 30 August - 02 September   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: MJ QUINN ARE TO CABLE AND SPLICE THE PON IN VERGE/CARRIAGEWAY....   Works location: JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO OPPOSITE JUNCTION OF BUTLERS HILL, REGENT STREET...   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: BC005MQ1W00BDUK4WC9L005V     Hall Street, Denbighshire 30 August - 02 September   Roadworks, Delays possible   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: MJ QUINN ARE TO CABLE AND SPLICE THE PON IN VERGE/CARRIAGEWAY....   Works location: JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, HALL STREET...   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: BC005MQ1W00BDUK5WC9L005V       Market Street, Denbighshire 30 August - 02 September   Roadworks, Delays possible   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: MJ QUINN ARE TO UNDERTAKE CABLE AND SPLICE, AND JOINT WORKS IN VERGE/CARRIAGEWAY....   Works location: JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREE TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, MARKET STREET...   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: BC005MQ1W00BDUK6WC9L005V

Roadworks updates from the county council

Latest local roadworks updates from Denbighshire County Council are: 

A539 BRIDGE END HOTEL (SE) MILL STREET 10/09/2022 14/09/2022 Gwaith ar Arhosfa Bws / Bus Stop Works

A539 JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREE TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, MARKET STREET MARKET STREET 30/08/2022 02/09/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN

JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, HALL STREET HALL STREET 30/08/2022 02/09/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN

OPPOSITE CLOGWYN GERAINT LLANGOLLEN GERAINT 05/09/2022 19/10/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works PLATINUM (DCC)

Near Bryn Howel Hotel A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 08/09/2022 10/09/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A539 O/S 8 BERWYN STREET CASTLE STREET 06/09/2022 07/09/2022 Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST

A539 AT JUNCTION WITH A5 QUEEN STREET BIRCH HILL 26/09/2022 30/09/2022 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYRFDWY Road Closure

Original Calendar Girl wishes Operatic good luck with show

* Tricia's message of 'good luck' to the Operatic.

The woman who was the inspiration for the world-famous Calendar Girls story has wished members of Llangollen Operatic luck as they make final preparations to stage the hit show next week.

From Wednesday August 31 until Saturday September 3 at the town hall the society will present the musical version of how the ladies of Rylstone and District WI posed nude for a calendar back in 1999 to raise more than £6 million for charity.

Tricia Stewart originally came up with the idea of fundraising for a new sofa for the relatives’ room in the hospital where her friend went to wait for hubby as he received treatment for blood cancer.

And she went on to appear as Ms October in the calendar which followed.

The Llangollen show’s producer Tracey Jones recently wrote to tell her about the production and how a member of the production team had shared some words about her own cancer diagnosis and the effect the original story has had on her.

Then, earlier this week, Tricia sent a hand-written reply inside the front cover of the book, entitled Calendar Girl, which she wrote about the story.

Tracey said: “I approached Tricia via an online form to tell her about our show and also mentioned how one of our production team, Sarah Marshall, had shared some words about her own diagnosis.

“Sarah then received this book and a personal message.”

The message says: “Thank you for your wise words. Very true! Keep on keeping on and good luck with the show.”

Tracey added: “I’d love people to know that we will be collecting for the Shooting Star charity during the run of the show.”

In the Llangollen show Ms October will be played by Russ Latham, who as previously appeared with Whitchurch society.

Calender Girls will be the Operatic’s first venture back on stage since the pre-pandemic days of 2019.

They grabbed the rights for it back in 2020 thinking it would be a great smaller-cast summer show.

But, according to Tracey, who is co-producing with husband Mike, it has turned into something much bigger.

She said: "Because of Covid it's been three years since our last adult production.

"Calendar Girls is an emotional roller coaster show based on the true Calendar Girl story that has also been depicted on film starring Julie Walters, Helen Mirren and many more top British actors. 

"The musical version was adapted and written by Tim Firth with music by Gary Barlow.

"Our show is directed by Nia Pickering, with artistic assistance from Sarah Marshall and musical direction by Elen Mair Roberts."

* For ticket details, go to: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety

Plans for reshaping St John's woodland unveiled

* A sketch-map of how the woodland area will be developed.

Plans have been revealed to transform an area of under-used woodland near St John’s Church in Llangollen into a tranquil outdoor area to benefit graveyard visitors and neighbouring residents.

The Green Space project is a joint initiative between the Church in Wales, which owns the land, and members of the Tidy Town Team whose hard work over a number of years has gradually been transforming the wooded site of around 1.5 acres to the point where it can be sympathetically redeveloped.

* John Gambles of the Valle Crucis Mission Area briefs residents on the project in front of what will become the access point to the woodland. On the left, is the priest-in-charge of St Collen's, Father Lee Taylor.

* Residents voice their concerns about the plan to John Gambles.

The plan is being overseen by the Valle Crucis Mission Area, the body which co-ordinates the work of 15 parish churches in the Dee Valley area, with cash from the Green Communities Project match- funded by St Collen’s Church.

If all goes according to plan the new area should be in use by next February.

People from the area were invited to a special on-site presentation by the Mission Area’s John Gambles this morning (Friday).

Residents, mainly from nearby Green Lane, were able to voice their concerns about the affect the scheme would have on their homes, a number of which have already been aired on social media.  

The blueprint basically means turning a triangular-shaped piece of land between the river, the railway and the cemetery into what Mr Gambles described as a “tranquil area where people can find peace with themselves ... where they can sit, relax and contemplate.”

* The existing parking area will be extended for visitors to the graveyard. 

Also included in the scheme is extending the existed limited car parking area for graveyard visitors by the removal of a privet hedge and the planting of a line of ornamental trees to screen it from the consecrated land set aside for the extension of the burial area, the creation of a small wildflower meadow plus the fixing of posts and chestnut palings along the rider side of the site.

Mr Gambles said that a range of specialist advice had been taken on which trees within the main woodland area should be removed or saved.

There had also been expert consultation of the form the revamped woodland area would take which has meant provision for a small access point from the existing parking area leading onto a walkway – wide enough to take wheelchairs - winding of about 110 metres through the trees to a quiet area with simple oak benches.

The plan had been mooted for some time and over the past seven years the Tidy Town Team had done a large of amount of clearing and tidying of the site.

Residents who attended the presentation raised a number of points of concern, including possible anti-social behaviour caused by the opening up of the area – with some pointing out that this was already a problem with alcohol bottles and other rubbish being left strewn about.

There were also fears expressed about extra traffic using nearby Green Lane during the construction period by contractors and how the area would be managed in the long term.

Mr Gambles said that although the budget for the scheme didn’t include provision for its future management, the use of CCTV could be discussed, adding: “We will try to encourage responsible behaviour and we are already working with the police and the schools. A lot of it is up to us a community.”

Addressing residents’ traffic concerns, he stressed that an agreement had been reached with the adjacent railway to use the pathway between its yard and St John’s Church for contractors’ vehicles.

There were questions for Mr Gambles about the level of consultation there had been on the project.

He said that people most affected by it in the area had been consulted as had the Town Council which had agreed with the proposals.

However, he did not rule out further consultation measures including, possibly, the setting up of a Friends of St John’s group to liaise with and update residents as the project progressed.

He stressed that the newly-created area was not intended to be part of the town’s general tourist offering but by people visiting relatives’ graves in the cemetery and by residents themselves.

Extra officers on patrol this bank holiday, say police

North Wales Police will have extra officers on the local beat during the forthcoming bank holiday weekend.

That is the message, sent via the online Neighbourhood Alert network from PCSO Karl Joseph.

He says: "With summer holidays coming to an end and depending on weather, Llangollen is expected to be really busy. "I just wanted to let you know, that extra officers will be on high-visibility foot patrol in the town." The reassurance comes after a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the town centre last weekend, including arguments over cars parking on the pavement and in Centenary Square.

Steam returns to Llangollen Railway for the holiday weekend

* Steam loco 68067 will run at the railway this weekend.

Llangollen Railway has announced that steam trains should be running again over the August Bank Holiday weekend, thanks to the help of another railway and an historic engine built during the Second World War.

The War Department (WD) "Austerity" saddle tank locomotive No 68067 arrived on Thursday from the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire. 

The historic engine was built in 1943 by Hudswell-Clarke in Leeds and will be staying while repairs are undertaken the railway's resident steam locos.

Running with the British Railways number of No 68067, the identity of a scrapped classmate, the loco carries shining black British Railways livery and has an interesting history. 

After being sold on by the War Department, 68067 spent 30 years with the National Coal Board at several collieries, ending up at Bold near St Helens for the final four years of its career and picking up the name Robert. 

Lasting in industrial service until 1982, 68067 was amongst the UK's last steam locomotives in use outside of preservation. 

* The 68067 will run alongside the GWR Observation saloon.

Whilst at Bold, 68067 also took part in the legendary Rocket 150 celebrations in 1980, which included a trip onto the mainline to Rainhill, site of the historic 1829 trials that saw Stephenson’s Rocket prove that steam locomotives were the best way to operate services on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the World’s first intercity railway.

LR Press Officer Terry Pickthall said: “We are very pleased to see 68067 arrive with us after a challenging season. 

"Repairs to our resident locomotives have encountered problems and taken longer than expected, leaving us without a steam loco at the height of our season. 

"Although our diesel railcars and locomotives have done a superb job of filling the void, steam traction is very much at the heart of what we do and is always very popular with our visitors. 

"We are very grateful to the loco’s owners and wider team at the Great Central Railway who have make 68067’s visit to us possible. Everyone has pulled out the stops to get the engine to us in time for the Bank Holiday weekend, which is always a busy one for us."  

After some checks and a test run 68067 is due to be put straight to work at the Llangollen Railway today (Friday), tomorrow (Saturday) alongside a diesel locomotive and Sunday alongside a diesel railcar and will be staying in North Wales for at least the next few weeks until repairs are complete on the line's resident GWR heavy freight locomotive No 3802.

Terry added: “I was born in 1976, some eight years after steam engines disappeared from Britain’s mainline railways. However this was not the end of the story as many think. 

"As well as the heritage railway movement, many steam locomotives stayed in use on industrial railways in places like power stations and coal mines way into the 1980s. 

"I can actually remember seeing 'Robert' as an excited four year old boy when my Mum and Dad took me to the Rocket 150 event at Rainhill. 

"It’s a great feeling to see the loco again some 42 years later and visiting the railway on which I have been a proud volunteer for nearly 16 years."

* Tickets can be bought on the day of travel and advanced booking is available online at https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/.